Description Colonies are branched, usually less than 30 cm tall. The species is distinguished from other species by having thinner branches and less regular verrucae. While small, regular verrucae exist, most of the protuberances are irregular and, are often not true verrucae at all but are more like incipient branches. As a result, Pocillopora damicornis exhibits greater branching than does P. verrucosa. Pocillopora damicornis occurs at all depths between the surface and 40 m deep or more, and is particularly abundant between 5 to 20 m. It is equally abundant in lagoonal areas and clear water reef slopes. Commonly forms monospecific, densely packed stands many tens of metres across in water 5 -10 m deep. The main habitat where it is not common is where exposure is high. By virtue of its wide depth range and its geographic distribution from this region to the Pacific coast of central America, it is a candidate for the most abundant coral species (Sheppard, 1998).
Verrucae and branches intergrade. Branches may be fine and widely separated (in calm environments) to very compact (on upper reef slopes). Colour: Pale brown, greenish or pink. Abundance: Very common. Occurs in all shallow-water habitats from wharf piles and mangrove swamps to exposed reef fronts (Veron, 1986).
A finer species than P. verrucosa, in which the verrucae often are as big as the branches and the corallites 0.8-1 mm across. Colour: varies from pink to green, brown or pale straw. Habitat: reef flats and shallow water substrates (Richmond, 1997). [details]

additional source Sheppard, C.R.C. (1987). Coral species of the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas: a synonymised compilation and some regional distribution patterns. Atoll Research Bulletin Nr 307 [details]

Description Colonies are branched, usually less than 30 cm tall. The species is distinguished from other species by having thinner branches and less regular verrucae. While small, regular verrucae exist, most of the protuberances are irregular and, are often not true verrucae at all but are more like incipient branches. As a result, Pocillopora damicornis exhibits greater branching than does P. verrucosa. Pocillopora damicornis occurs at all depths between the surface and 40 m deep or more, and is particularly abundant between 5 to 20 m. It is equally abundant in lagoonal areas and clear water reef slopes. Commonly forms monospecific, densely packed stands many tens of metres across in water 5 -10 m deep. The main habitat where it is not common is where exposure is high. By virtue of its wide depth range and its geographic distribution from this region to the Pacific coast of central America, it is a candidate for the most abundant coral species (Sheppard, 1998).
Verrucae and branches intergrade. Branches may be fine and widely separated (in calm environments) to very compact (on upper reef slopes). Colour: Pale brown, greenish or pink. Abundance: Very common. Occurs in all shallow-water habitats from wharf piles and mangrove swamps to exposed reef fronts (Veron, 1986).
A finer species than P. verrucosa, in which the verrucae often are as big as the branches and the corallites 0.8-1 mm across. Colour: varies from pink to green, brown or pale straw. Habitat: reef flats and shallow water substrates (Richmond, 1997). [details]